Applied Photonics Group

Over the past few years, the group's lines of work have evolved towards specific applications. The super bright semiconductor lasers, traditionally developed in the group, have, under a European project, been applied to LIDAR systems on satellites to detect atmospheric pollutants and greenhouse gases.

It has begun to work with lyotropic liquid crystals, which is a family that has been very under-researched until now, which turn out to be ideal with materials that are hydrophilic, or put up with the presence of water, are needed. Under another European project, a family of biosensors were developed to detect pathogenic micro-organisms in various body fluids and at various points in food production chains. The process, which enables detection of specific pathogens at a glance, with a very simple disposable kit, with no need for an electricity supply or optical support systems, was patented.

A company has been founded to exploit a patent for document security. The company has received several awards and subsidies, including the ActúaUPM first prize, the Wayra award from Telefónica, the Accenture prize and two Torres Quevedo nominations. It is in conversation with several companies and official bodies to implement the technology.